Hampstead Town Guide: Where to Eat, Stay and Explore

Hampstead is the kind of southern New Hampshire town that most people drive through on Route 111 without stopping. It is mostly residential, close to the Massachusetts line, and it does not have a famous attraction. What it does have is a colonial history that predates the state border itself, a scatter of ponds, a stretch of rail trail, and a small group of local businesses that make a pleasant half day or an easy overnight. This guide covers the things to do in Hampstead NH, plus places to eat, drink and stay from our directory.

Hampstead at a glance

Hampstead is a town in Rockingham County with 8,998 residents at the 2020 census. It covers about 14.1 square miles, of which roughly 0.66 square miles is water. The town includes the village of East Hampstead, and its neighbors are Sandown to the north, Danville to the northeast, Kingston to the east, Plaistow to the southeast, Atkinson to the south and Derry to the west.

The town's highest point, a little over 460 feet above sea level, is near the eastern knob of Butman Hill in the northwest corner. Most of Hampstead drains toward the Merrimack River, though the area east of Butman Hill and north of Smith Mountain is part of the coastal Piscataqua watershed.

A town created by a boundary line

Hampstead's history is tied to an argument over where New Hampshire ends and Massachusetts begins. The land was once part of Haverhill and Amesbury, Massachusetts, and settlement there dates to 1640. The town was formed as a result of the 1739 decision that fixed the boundary between the two provinces.

It was first known as "Timberlane Parish," after its heavy growth of native trees. In 1749 colonial Governor Benning Wentworth incorporated the town and renamed it after Hampstead, England, the residence of his close friend William Pitt.

Two pieces of that early history are easy to find. The Hampstead Meetinghouse, built between about 1749 and 1768, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. And the town claims a small place in agricultural history: it was home to the first honey factory in the United States, in 1816.

Things to do in Hampstead

Walk the Rockingham Recreational Trail

Part of the Rockingham Recreational Trail, a converted rail line, runs through Hampstead. Rail trails are flat and wide, which makes them good for walking, running and casual cycling, and for an easy foliage outing in late September and October. Check current trail conditions and access points with the town or the state before you go.

Visit the ponds

Hampstead has several ponds. Island Pond is in the southwest part of town, Wash Pond is near the center, and Angle Pond sits on the northern border. Much of the shoreline is private, so look for public access points and respect posted rules.

See the meetinghouse and the town center

A short drive around the town center brings you past the historic meetinghouse and the Congregational church shown at the top of this page. It is a quick stop, but it gives you a feel for the colonial village that grew up here before the border was settled.

Where to eat and drink

BeanTowne Coffee House

BeanTowne Coffee House on Route 111 calls itself Hampstead's neighborhood coffee house. It is independent and has been owner-operated from the start. It serves direct-trade coffee from Flight Coffee Co., a small New Hampshire roaster, brewed to Specialty Coffee Association Gold Cup standards. The food menu covers breakfast sandwiches and wraps, toasted sandwiches and baked goods, and you can order ahead for pickup or sit down and stay a while.

Jamison's Restaurant

Jamison's Restaurant is a full-service restaurant with several distinct spaces. Its lounge has a large bar, many televisions, a rotating draft list and live entertainment, which makes it a game-day spot. Its upscale dining room, with booths, a gas fireplace and chandeliers, is set up for a quieter dinner. In the warmer months there is a rear patio overlooking a lawn and forest, and a function room downstairs handles larger groups. The kitchen describes its dishes as made from scratch, with steaks and seafood among the dinner options.

Sweet Baby Vineyard

Sweet Baby Vineyard is a family-run winery in Hampstead that opened in 2008 after the owners planted their first grape vines in 2006. It makes red, white and fruit wines, with the fruit wines made from New Hampshire-grown fruit. The vineyard says it works with the same local farms it has used since it opened and donates a portion of its profits to local farmers. A visit to a working vineyard is a good fit for an autumn afternoon. Check the winery's site for tasting room days and how to buy its wines.

Where to stay

Stillmeadow Bed and Breakfast

Stillmeadow Bed and Breakfast is on Main Street in Hampstead. The house was built in 1850 by a local businessman as a "honeymoon house" for himself and his wife, and its exterior architecture has been kept, while the interior has been upgraded with modern comforts including central air conditioning. It sits on two acres of gardens with a guest terrace. Guests have their own Victorian parlor with a wood stove, and breakfast, served in a dining room across the hall, emphasizes home baking and local produce.

For travelers who want to explore the southern tier of the state, including Derry, Exeter and the Seacoast, a historic B&B in a small town is a quieter alternative to a highway hotel.

Wellness

My Soul and Body

My Soul and Body is a massage therapy practice in Hampstead. Its services include restorative massage, lymphatic drainage, oncology massage, reflexology and craniosacral therapy, and it describes its approach as blending massage with holistic energy work. Appointments are booked ahead by phone or online, so plan in advance if you want to fit a session into a weekend visit.

A simple Hampstead day

Hampstead works best as a slow, local day rather than a checklist. Here is one way to put it together in autumn.

1. Morning: coffee and a breakfast sandwich in town.

2. Late morning: a walk on the rail trail, timed for the best light on the foliage.

3. Midday: a drive past the meetinghouse and the town center, then a look at one of the ponds.

4. Afternoon: a visit to the vineyard.

5. Evening: dinner in town, then a night at the B&B.

Getting there

Hampstead is in southeastern New Hampshire, in Rockingham County, bordered by Derry to the west and Atkinson to the south. Route 111 is the main east-west road through town. It is an easy drive from Manchester, the Seacoast and the Massachusetts border, which makes it a convenient stop on the way to somewhere else, or a quiet base for exploring the region.

FAQ

What county is Hampstead, NH in?

Rockingham County, in southeastern New Hampshire.

Why is the town called Hampstead?

Governor Benning Wentworth renamed it in 1749 after Hampstead, England, the residence of his friend William Pitt. Before that it was called Timberlane Parish.

Is there a winery in Hampstead?

Yes. Sweet Baby Vineyard opened in 2008 and makes red, white and fruit wines.

What historic sites are in Hampstead?

The Hampstead Meetinghouse, built between about 1749 and 1768, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Where can I stay in Hampstead?

Stillmeadow Bed and Breakfast is a historic 1850 house on Main Street with guest suites and a full breakfast.

Sources

• Hampstead, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (population, area, history, meetinghouse, honey factory, ponds, rail trail, neighboring towns): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampstead,_New_Hampshire
• BeanTowne Coffee House official site: https://www.beantownecoffee.com/
• Jamison's Restaurant official site: https://www.jamisonsrestaurant.com/
• Sweet Baby Vineyard official site: https://www.sweetbabyvinyard.com
• Stillmeadow Bed and Breakfast official site: https://still-meadow.com/
• My Soul and Body official site: https://www.mysoulandbody.com